Mladen Targets QPR Joy

Mladen Petrić insists Fulham will go into Saturday’s (3pm) London derby at Queens Park Rangers in a confident frame of mind.

After a seven-game run without a victory, the Whites returned to winning ways with a 2-1 triumph over Newcastle United at the Cottage on Monday.

And ahead of the capital clash at Loftus Road, striker Petrić believes the three points earned against the Magpies will aid the Whites when they face Rangers.

“It’s a big game,” he told fulhamfc.com. “It was important for us to get the win against Newcastle. We’d gone seven games without a win so the victory gives us confidence ahead of QPR.”

Rangers are currently marooned at the foot of the Barclays Premier League table and eight points adrift of safety.

Petrić, though, is wary of the threat that the Hoops can cause, particularly after an upturn in fortunes since the appointment of Harry Redknapp, who has led them to three draws in his first three games in charge.

“I am surprised they are struggling,” stated Petrić. “But it’s like a boxer when he’s a bit stunned, he can still be dangerous. QPR haven’t won a game this season but there will be a time when they do and we have to make sure it isn’t against us.

“We have to take care, make sure we concentrate on the game and that will give us a good chance.

“It would be nice to win for the Fulham fans, as well, because they have been fantastic. They support us everywhere we go. It would be good to give them three points as an early Christmas present.”

Petrić came close to scoring as a late substitute against Newcastle, when his long-range effort clipped the top of the crossbar.

“I was a bit unlucky but we got the three points so we are happy,” he mused. “It would have been nice to have scored a third goal to make things a bit easier but in the end we won and that is the most important thing.”